Heat energy flows from a hot object to a cold object.     The bigger the temperature difference between a body and its surroundings, the faster the        rate at which heat is transferred.    Thermal conduction     The transfer of heat through an object without the object itself moving is called conduction.     Conduction is the process of transfer of heat through solids, this happens when one end of        a conductor is heated, the atoms gain kinetic energy and start to vibrate passing on their        vibration energy to neighbouring atoms.      All metals are very good conductors of heat.     Under similar conditions, different materials transfer heat at different rates.       Copper transfers heat better than aluminium.     Copper is a good conductor of heat because it has free moving electrons.         When copper is heated, the electrons move faster and diffuse quickly from the hot part of the        metal to the cooler part.     Poor conductors of heat are called insulators.          Plastic is an example of a good insulator of heat.